Green Bay Packers select Edgerrin Cooper in the second round, 45th overall

On Friday, Edgerrin Cooper became the highest-drafted Texas A&M linebacker in 14 years when he was selected as the 45th pick in the second round by the Green Bay Packers.

He’s the highest-picked A&M linebacker since Von Miller was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 draft.

Cooper is also the ninth A&M linebacker drafted in the last 30 years.

Previous A&M linebackers drafted since 1994 include Miller, Buddy Johnson (fourth round in 2021), Sean Porter (fourth round in 2013), Jason Glenn (sixth round in 2001), Dat Nguyen (third round in 1999), Warrick Holdman (fourth round in 1999) and Reggie Brown (first round in 1996).

Cooper’s selection comes after a stellar three-year career, which culminated with an All-American campaign in 2023.

Cooper led the Aggies in four defensive statistical categories.

He led the team with 84 tackles. He led the team and the Southeastern Conference with 17 tackles for loss. Cooper also led A&M and tied for fourth in the SEC with eight sacks. He led A&M with 10 quarterback pressures.

He also broke up two passes and forced two fumbles.

A noted wild hog hunter, Cooper came to A&M as a four-star recruit in 2020. He was the fifth-rated prospect in the state of Louisiana, was ranked ninth in the country among linebacker prospects and was rated 115th overall in the nation.

In his first season, Cooper posted just two sacks. As a backup in 2021, he had 58 stops with 5.5, resulting in lost yardage. He also had an interception.

The following season, in 2022, Cooper became a full-time starter. He posted 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss and an interception against Auburn.

He also forced a fumble by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, which Demani Richardson returned for a momentum-changing touchdown in A&M’s season-closing 38-23 victory.

Cooper completes his A&M career with 205 tackles, 30.5 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.